I was delighted when the little one scrunched his hands together and wriggled his toes—I really think young children do that to entertain us. The other siblings showed their own personalities to great advantage too. That’s was inevitably what happens when you have four children in a custom portrait painting—you might think it a small challenge to take the reference photos—but so much fun.
The mother also wanted me to paint something of her newly-planted rose garden in the portrait. I went out to the back of her house to see it, and was surprised [continue reading…]
This oil portrait painting was commissioned by the father of 27-year-old twins. He was moving into a new penthouse condo and his interior decorator/close friend had recommended that he get me to make a portrait for him. They met at my studio, had the tour of many portraits and we worked out all the particulars. Since his son is an integral part of their family business, he was available locally, but we had to schedule the photoshoot a few weeks later to coincide with a visit from his daughter who lives out of state. We arranged to do it her last day here, at eight in the morning because she had to leave at 10:15 to catch her flight home! [continue reading…]
It was such a treat for me to do a custom family oil portrait painting of 4 captivating sisters. They ranged in ages from approaching adulthood, teen, pre-teen to 5 years old.
When I did this painting, I had the help of my representative who arranged everything. I was able just to show up with my husband to do the [continue reading…]
This custom dog oil portrait was commissioned by a retired couple. Their dog was so cute and they knew it. They had a chest of drawers in the family room full of wonderful outfits for Buffy—mostly for holidays. For example, Buffy could greet trick or treaters with his puffed out orange satin pumpkin costume, he could go to a Christmas party in his Santa’s elf attire and he could appear Easter Sunday for egg hunting dressed like a rabbit. You can imagine that Buffy was loved by all of his neighbors who dropped in regularly too, and commented about Buffy’s gourmet diet. [continue reading…]
This original oil portrait commission came to me from a client who wanted to give someone a really big thank you. He bought 2 children’s head and shoulder portraits from me and presented this fantastic present in the form of a gift certificate. This lucky family came over to view my studio with their 2 boys. We got acquainted, looked at portraits on the walls and in portfolios, and then took photo references of the boys. The parents upgraded their gift certificate to 2 portraits showing, as you can see here in the older boy’s painting, the “three-quarter pose” which includes the hands (in pockets this time). [continue reading…]
This is a video slideshow of a children’s oil portrait that I made and posted to YouTube. It was put together from photos taken of my painting in progress each night. Then I finally lined up all the photos so that it became a movie. I’ve included the transcript of my running dialog here. Hope you enjoy it! Would love to hear from you! [continue reading…]
Here is a charcoal portrait drawing of a very composed little girl sitting on the grass. The couple who had me portrait their daughter for them in 2015, had actually found me 5 years earlier and had me sketch at that time from a baby picture that they loved when she was only 6 months old, out in her stroller for a bit of fresh air. You can see that portrait below.
Now the little girl has turned 5 and they thought it was time for another portrait. I couldn’t agree more! They had a local photographer whom they hired for an hour to take a series of pictures. [continue reading…]
Here is a custom painted oil portrait that I made for a family in New Jersey. We flew up there to make the photographs that I would use for my references. When we arrived, the girls had picked out some in-vogue teenage dresses. Their father wanted a classic, more timeless look! We went shopping with them to help them choose. For the photoshoot, my husband Gerry created a beautiful photo studio in their large garage. While we were photographing them, the older girl, who had not been interested up to this time, suddenly became fascinated with the lighting and how it worked while changing the whole look of a scene. She was now very pleased to participate in posing for her portrait. It was rewarding to see her as excited as her [continue reading…]
Looking at my cousin Norman Rockwell’s recent traveling exhibition brought me to contemplating how his brush strokes arrived on a canvas compared to how mine get there. The steps that we use are pretty different—at least on the surface. Most notably, he makes many successive pictures in charcoal and then paint before tackling the final canvas which contrasts to how I put all sketches and painting stages on the same canvas for my custom oil portraits.
To illustrate, for his largest client, The Saturday Evening Post Magazine, for whom he made 323 covers over 47 years, the first [continue reading…]
As a realistic oil portrait artist, I was thrilled to hear that the work of my cousin Norman Rockwell was being exhibited close by at the Tampa Museum of Art. This Norman Rockwell traveling exhibit showcased his work from when he was 20 till he was 76—that’s 56 years!
Called “American Chronicles, The Art of Norman Rockwell”, it started by touching on the earliest paintings that were done for stories in Boys’ Life magazine about Daniel Boone when he worked exclusively for the Boy Scouts. [continue reading…]
I feel it is the ultimate gift to my girls…to see themselves as the beautiful children they were and to capture their innocence. …to be passed down through the generations.
It was such a joy to work with you—so easy right from the beginning. The final result is simply breathtaking. Our family and friends are amazed at the likeness.
My family was in awe when they saw it. Some thought it was a photograph because it is so true to life. Their characters shine through their eyes.
It becomes a family heirloom that is priceless. As we see our children grow, it makes me happy to know that this time period will be remembered forever.
When the painting was unveiled, you got a standing ovation. It was the crowning point of the convention—it was done at the very end. It was the perfect thing.
The portrait seemed amazing when we first got it, but now, 2 years later, it is even more enjoyable because she has changed so. You completely captured her.
I love seeing the three of them hanging side by side. I almost feel as though my children, at that age, are in the room with me. It’s magical!
I look at it every day and it always puts a smile on my face and makes me happy inside. It shows the casual life style that suits us and brings out our personalities. It’s endearing.
I think their children and grandchildren will look at these paintings with great admiration and want the same for themselves.
Jessica’s work on my granddaughter’s portrait is extraordinary. She captured every feature and expression exactly. Not only is her work fabulous, but she is one of the kindest ladies I have ever met. She worked closely with me to obtain the end result, which is something I have been trying to capture since my granddaughter was a baby. I will always cherish the piece of art that she had completed and would highly recommend Jessica to anyone looking for exceptional work and professionalism. Th… Read more
Norm surprised me with it today. It’s fantastic. It’s just absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much. I can’t even believe it. I am stunned!
I feel like he could just step right out of the picture. So different, much more real than having a photograph. It’s awesome having portraits of all my children.
The world renown painter Jessica Rockwell was really able to capture that cute couple who recently celebrated their 60th Wedding anniversary with a lifetime painting!
Looking at those portraits brings such joy. The details, from their beautiful, sparkling eyes to the tiny lines on their fingers and toes, makes me feel as though I’m revisiting the past.
I like the little bit of ‘Sparkle’ you put in her eyes in the oil portrait because that is her!!!!! She looks BEAUTIFUL!!! We love it!!
My husband’s portrait is so lifelike that I feel that he could reach out and touch me. Even apart from the physical, you captured his personality, his essence—I can’t take my eyes off it!
I brought Michelle in to see her portrait and she put her finger to her cheek. I asked her, ‘What do you think of it?’ She said, ‘I’m pretty!
You were wonderful to deal with. In the photo session you knew how to get her relaxed. You went the extra mile to create something really incredible.
The detail in your work from the gleam in Dale’s eyes to the plaid in his shirt will ever serve as a wonderful, lasting reminder of this important time in his life.
I had no idea it was going to come out this good. I don’t mean that badly—your work is beautiful. But seeing this of my own children, I just can’t get over how how good it is!
No matter how big he gets he will always be my little boy and I have your beautiful picture to remember that special time.
It has made such a presence in our living room. Every time I go through the room I see her at that time. She has changed already. You know, Taylor’s is the best one of your portraits.
When I saw your paintings originally I could appreciate their beauty on their own, but it was not until I saw my own children painted by you that I fully recognized your talent.
Oh, sweet, sweet. Look at those expressive eyes. I love it—there is nothing not to love about it. It’s like he’s sitting right there on the fence with me.
Oh, my gosh. I’m going to cry. It definitely looks like her. There is a spirituality in the painting. You do that all the time. I look at it and I get peace.
I don’t even know what to say. That’s exactly what we wanted. I just can’t stop looking at it. I could just hold her little hand. I keep walking at different angles to take it all in.
The portrait captures her so well, from her bright, shining eyes right down to the way she is holding her precious little hands. We both had tears in our eyes. It’s perfect!
You capture a ‘feeling’ in me that is more than the expression on my face; the painting conveys an “inner peace” that I certainly feel and that I am happy you could capture.
Grant gave the ultimate compliment for a 17-year-old: ’Can I have that for my room?’ He likes the way he looked in it.
They look very dramatic in my house. People who’ve seen them just can’t believe how beautiful they are.
I look into their eyes and I feel as if I can look right into their young hearts. When you realize it is an investment in art for future generations, you want the best.
his hands together and wriggled his toes—I really think young children do that to entertain us. The other siblings showed their own personalities to great advantage too. That’s was inevitably what happens when you have four children in a custom portrait painting—you might think it a small challenge to take the reference photos—but so much fun.
